India Surpasses the United States in Providing Equal Pay for Men and Women

In a significant achievement reflecting progress in workplace equality, India has overtaken the United States in ensuring equal pay for men and women, according to a report by Global Payroll and Compliance Platform Deel.

 

The report reveals that India’s efforts to promote gender pay parity are yielding visible results, particularly across technology, data, and compliance-driven sectors. The average pay difference between men and women in India now stands between USD 13,000 and USD 23,000, indicating one of the narrowest wage gaps globally.

 

Global Recognition for India’s Progress

The study analyzed data from over 10 lakh (1 million) professionals across 35,000 companies operating in more than 160 countries. It found that Indian organizations are increasingly adopting transparent pay structures and gender-inclusive policies, placing India among the world’s leading nations in workplace equality.

 

Experts attribute this progress to India’s robust digital infrastructure, remote employment opportunities, and a strong compliance culture that supports fair compensation practices.

 

Shift in Employment Models

According to Deel’s data, nearly 70% of Indian professionals are now employed as full-time workers, while 40% of organizations prefer hiring through contract-based models. This hybrid trend highlights India’s adaptability to evolving global employment patterns.

 

Manager Mark Smalls from Deel commented that India’s balance of legal reforms and technology adoption has created a business-friendly environment. Despite fluctuations in global wages, India continues to maintain competitiveness, especially in engineering, IT, and data analytics sectors, where average salaries are rising steadily.

 

The report also noted that the average annual salary for Indian professionals in these fields is expected to rise from USD 22,000 in 2025 to USD 36,000 by 2024, indicating a rapid upward trend.

 

A Model for Emerging Economies

Analysts emphasized that India’s focus on diversity, skill-based hiring, and compliance automation has positioned it as a model for other developing economies. Multinational corporations are recognizing India’s commitment to workplace equality and expanding their recruitment operations in the country.

 

This growing parity, experts say, is a reflection of India’s broader transformation toward a digitally empowered, globally competitive, and socially progressive workforce.